A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum Out of FIBA Women’s World Cup; Replacements Named

Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 31, 2026 —

The United States Basketball Federation announced Tuesday that two key players, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, will not participate in the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup. The decision comes as both athletes are dealing with unspecified health reasons.

Wilson, a standout player for the Las Vegas Aces, and Plum, her teammate, were expected to be integral parts of the U.S. squad. Their absence marks a significant shift for the team as it prepares to compete on the international stage.

USA Basketball has confirmed that Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have been named as replacements on the roster. Both Iriafen and Citron are expected to bring new dynamics to the team as they step into their roles.

The specific details regarding the health issues affecting Wilson and Plum have not been disclosed by USA Basketball or the athletes themselves. The organization stated that the players’ well-being is the priority, leading to their withdrawal from the tournament. Further updates on their recovery are not currently available.

The FIBA Women’s World Cup is a prestigious international basketball competition, and the U.S. team is historically a strong contender. The inclusion of Iriafen and Citron signals USA Basketball’s confidence in its expanded roster’s ability to compete at the highest level. The team will now adjust its strategy and player rotations to account for the change in personnel ahead of the tournament’s commencement.

The coaching staff and fellow players are reportedly focused on integrating the new members and maintaining the team’s readiness. The absence of two experienced players presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the rest of the squad to demonstrate depth and resilience.

Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.